With most of the most of the old cast returning, as well as the new cast, are there too many characters? Will the plot got lost with so many characters to focus on or do you think the writers can handle this many characters? Also will this many returning actors blow up the budget?

Well so far, we only have 5 new characters and I don't think Nixon will have a large role in the movie (probably just as the same as the President in X2 or X3). Right now we have nothing to worry about.

I have a feeling half of these characters will have minor but memorable part in the movie.

Yeah I don't really see Bryan giving all of these characters the same amount of screentime but it doesn't mean they can't shine. So far, there's only 1 new character that is for sure getting a big role in the movie and that is Dinklage's character since he's going to be the main antagonist of this movie, let's see if he gets a sidekick or a henchman. I see Omar Sy having a supporting role if he's indeed playing Bishop and I see Bingbing having a role like Nightcrawler if she will teleport the team to the past. I think it will be like this:

That's potentially seven lead characters, as Professor X and Magneto have two versions each and they are, effectively, four different characters. Seven lead roles is really quite a lot and neither X2 nor First Class had that many. That's about the same amount as Avengers, which didn't have a whole host of supporting/minor characters to worry about and which still left some lead characters rather short-changed.

If this movie can pull it off, it will be one hell of a balancing act.

The thing with the X-Men is that they are a team of mutants. Since this movie is about time-travel you need the X-Men in the future who will probably be helping out the many other mutants that might be captive and stuff. I doubt every single X-men will get the same amount of time. I even expect some of them to die in the future. That would actually fit one of the themes with this Days of the Future past story. Besides we have already been introduced the most too Wolverine, Storm, future Magneto, future Xavier, Rogue, and Iceman.

I say the main people they will focus on will be both Professor Xaviers and Magnetos. Then you have who ever will be traveling or warning the past cast. Plus also the main villain. Also Jennifer Lawrences mystique will likely appear in both the future and past. After all she never ages and she will probably get some good amount of time.

So X2 and First Class had too many characters? Lord of the Rings had too many characters? Hunger Games? Harry Potter? Mind you this film so far has half the characters of the latter three mentioned films.

Ok, in that case First Class is at 22 and I'll count the younger versions of Xavier, Raven and Erik.

During this same period before filming First Class this entire forum was having the same arguments as now. "Waaa, too many characters!!!". It seems that's always going to be the complaint with every X Men film forever. Despite there still being less characters so far in this film than the last.

There is really no need for Rebcca anymore. I doubt we will have both Lawrence and Rebecca in blue form. They just need one. It will be interesting if Lawrence can play the bad ass mystique from X1 and X2 though for the future if they do use her for both.

X-Men at It's best Is ensemble cast.Yes Wolverine was head of ensemble In X-Men and Magneto was head of ensemble of first Class.Lord of rings and Hobbit have large casts too.
A few will be major roles.Others supporting roles and a few small roles.We don't know which are which yet.

There is really no need for Rebcca anymore. I doubt we will have both Lawrence and Rebecca in blue form. They just need one. It will be interesting if Lawrence can play the bad ass mystique from X1 and X2 though for the future if they do use her for both.

If Mystique In fuuture They will bring back Rebecca.

I am willing to bet the amont of time you see Jennifer Lawrence In Blue makeup
In 1973 scenes will be limited.